SERIE A MATCH REPORT

Sassuolo have completely the extraordinary comeback to beat Genoa 4-2 and retain their Serie A place.

Eusebio Di Francesco’s men were unexpectedly revived in recent weeks and a 4-3 victory away to Fiorentina took them out of the bottom three. It meant a win here would practically secure their safety against an unmotivated Genoa side.

Sassuolo took the lead early on with Antonio Floro Flores against his former club. Luca Antonini did not deal at all well with a long ball, allowing the striker to get in front of him and fire past MattiaPerin one-on-one. However, replays suggest Floro Flores might’ve handled in the build-up.

Simone Zaza shook off Antonini, but was tired by the time he got to the penalty area and didn’t put enough power into the finish.

DomenicoBerardi’s viciously dipping effort was palmed out from under the bar and on the resulting corner his volley flashed just wide.

Sassuolo thought they had scored a second with Luca Antei’s header, but he was correctly flagged offside.

Genoa were awarded an extremely soft penalty when SimeVrsaljko appeared to dive as soon as he felt a touch in the back from Francesco Magnanelli. Alberto Gilardino saw his spot-kick parried by Pegolo, but EmanueleCalaio followed it up with a diving header to equalise.

Straight after the restart Perin got down quickly to beat away a Magnanelli blockbuster and then smothered at the feet of MattiaBrighi.

Zaza pounced on a MatiasCabral error and his left-foot finish was deflected inches past the woodwork.

Sassuolo restored their advantage from a corner, as DavideBiondini was allowed a free header, the glancing finish surprising Perin at the near post.

Genoa would not give in and drew level once more, as Pegolo completely mistimed his attempt to block an Antonelli cross, allowing MatiasCabral to fire in with Gilardino getting a final touch to wrong-foot the keeper.

Sassuolo again went in front thanks to Sansone’s wonderful volley into the far top corner from Magnanelli’s cross.

Floro Flores put the icing on the cake with an angled drive after Perin parried a Berardi effort into his path.